Gateway to Asia - Asian Culture Festival featuring AAPI Celebration

Gateway to Asia — Asian Culture Festival featuring AAPI Celebration

Join us for a free, family-friendly celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Bayshore Shopping Center in Glendale, WI! Gateway to Asia is a vibrant full-day festival presented by the Wisconsin Chinese Chamber of Commerce (WCCC), co-hosted with the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), Milwaukee Chinese Community Center (MCCC), and AREAA Greater Milwaukee.

Discover the beauty, diversity, and joy of Asian heritage through live performances, authentic food, hands-on workshops, and cultural storytelling — all in one place, all in one day. Register for your free ticket to be entered into our raffle!

🎭 LIVE PERFORMANCES Watch 8+ Asian cultures come alive on the main stage! The day kicks off with a spectacular Lion Dance and ends with a Dragon Dance grand finale. In between, enjoy Japanese Taiko drumming, Bollywood dance, Hmong traditional dance with the Qeej instrument, Southeast Asian folk dance from Indonesia, Laos, and the Philippines, classical Indian dance, martial arts showcase, family yoga, and youth fusion performances.

🍜 TASTE ZONE Savor authentic Asian flavors from 20+ food vendors and booths. Enjoy bubble tea tastings, live dumpling and Zong Zi folding demos, sushi handrolls, chai tastings, and so much more. Come hungry!

🎨 WORKSHOP ALLEY Get hands-on with Asian culture! Try Chinese calligraphy, origami, lantern making, henna art, tea ceremony, a Bollywood mini dance class, and traditional instrument try-outs. Something for every age and interest.

👧 KIDS CORNER & ASIA DISCOVERY PASSPORT Keep the little ones engaged all day with crafts, folktales, and percussion play. Pick up a free Asia Discovery Passport at the Information Booth, collect stamps at cultural stations around the festival, and return your completed passport for a prize! Prizes include festival sticker sets, mini lanterns, cultural bookmarks, Asian snack treats, and festival wristbands.

📸 PHOTO & COSTUME STATION Dress up in traditional Asian attire — kimono, sari, Hmong dress, Baro't Saya — and take home a beautiful memory with a group photo opportunity.

🤝 COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE Browse handcrafted goods, cultural art, and products from local Asian-owned businesses, artisans, schools, and community organizations. A great opportunity to discover and support your local Asian community.

STAGE SCHEDULE

• 11:00 AM — Opening Ceremony with Mayor of Glendale & WCCC leadership
• 11:15 AM — China Block: Lion Dance, Fan Dance, classical instruments, dumpling demo
• 12:00 PM — Japan Block: Taiko drums, karate demo, Taiko call-and-response for kids
• 1:00 PM — Southeast Asia Block: Indonesia, Laos & Philippines
• 2:00 PM — India Block: Bollywood, classical dance, family mini-class & henna
• 2:45 PM — Hmong Heritage Block: Traditional dance, Qeej, Pov Pob
• 3:15 PM — Martial Arts & Movement: Karate, family yoga, fusion demo
• 4:15 PM — Contemporary & Fusion Showcase: Youth ensembles & community choir
• 5:00 PM — Dragon Dance Grand Finale, costume parade & group photo

PRESENTED BY Wisconsin Chinese Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) · Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC) · Milwaukee Chinese Community Center (MCCC) · AREAA Greater Milwaukee

📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026 🕙 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM 📍 Bayshore Shopping Center, Glendale, WI 🎟️ Free Admission — Register now to enter the raffle!

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Host or Publisher Wisconsin Chinese Chamber of Commerce